Washing machine



Jan. 30', 1934.

J. E. POINTVON WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 31, 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet l Jan.30,1934. POINTON I 1,945,442

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Filed Dec. 31, 1930 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 pv van-r4 a; M w [in M Patented 30, 1934 1,945,442 WASHING mounts John Edward Pointon, Peter-borough,

Perkins, Limited, London,

assignor to Baker England England,

Application December 31, 1930, Serial No. 505,900,

and in Great Britain January 9, 1930 8 Claims. (01. 68-18) This invention relates to washing machines for washing clothes, more particularly of the type comprising a perforated drum adapted to rotate, (in one direction or to oscillate) within a relatively stationary drum or casing containing the washing fluid, the object of the invention being to provide various improvements in the construction and operation of this type of machine.

' According to one feature of the invention the washing machine comprises a perforated drum for laundry washing machines having a cylindrical wall and end walls, a drivin shaft extending through the drum and connected to said end walls, and a drum longitudinally and formed of a pair of plates enclosing said shaft.

The invention also consists in a laundry washing machine comprising a perforated rotary or oscillatory drum, an oscillatable water case enclosing the drum and having a peripheral loading and unloading aperture, a stationary casing surrounding the watercase and having a lateral opening in its periphery, said casing forming a closure element for the loading and unloading aperture when the water case is oscillated into the washing position, an outlet valve mounted on the water case opposite to the loading and unloading aperture, a stem for the valve and a ramp on the stationary casing, the arrangement being such that when the water casing is oscillated to the unloading position the stem engages the ramp to open the valve.

The invention further consists in afl laundry washing machine comprising a perforated drum mounted for rotation or oscillation, doors on the drum for loading or unloading clothes therein, an oscillatable water case surrounding the drum and having a peripheral opening and a stationary casing surrounding the water case and having a lateral opening in its periphery, the arrangement being such that during loading and unloading the opening in the water case coincides with the opening in the stationary casing, while during the washing operation the opening in the water case is located in the upper part of the washing machine where it is closed or substantially closed by the wall of the stationary cas- Further features of the invention will be hereinafter described and defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:- Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a washing machine according to the invention.

diametric wall dividing the Figure 2 is an end elevation looking toward the left in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end elevation looking toward the'right in Figure 1..

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation with the various parts'in position for the washing oper ation. V l

Figure 5 is a sectional elevation with the outlet valve open to discharge the water.

Figure 6- is a sectional elevation with the parts in the position for unloading the goods.

\ Figure7 is a sectional elevation with the parts in the position for loading goods into the washing drum.

Figures 8 and 9 are partial sectional elevations with the parts in position corresponding to Figures 4 and 5 respectively and illustrating a modified form of valve.

Figure 10 is an end view of the valve and gear shown inFigures 8 and 9.

Figure 11 is a sectional elevation of the water inlet valve,

Figure 12 being a plan corresponding thereto.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one convenient arrangement a stationary outer drum or cylindrical casing 15 is provided which is supported in end closure or frame members 16, 17. The casing is provided with an opening 18 at one side which terminates adjacent each supporting frame and extends circumferentially for about 90. -The edge 'of the opening may be provided with inwardly projecting lips formed by angle irons 19. r

Mounted concentrically within the stationary casing is an intermediate cylindrical drum 20 which forms a container for the water or washing fluid. This water container is formed with end discs 22 having hollow trunnions 23 which are located in bearings 24 in the supporting frames whereby the drum may be oscillated or partially rotated.

The intermediate drum 20 is provided with a longitudinally extending opening or aperture 25 which is adapted when the drum is in the appropriate position to, coincide with the lateral opening 18 in the stationary outer casing. The aperture 25 in the water casing may be strengthened with .L angle iron, the flange 26 of which is arranged to extend inwardly and outwardly with respect to the aperture and forming inward and outwardlips. I

The water casing is provided with a pair'of outlet valves 27 arranged diametrically opposite the aperture 25, such valves being seated within a housing 28 mounted outwardly of the casing and adapted to open inwardly of the casing. The valves may be held to their seats by the weight of the water in the casing. The valves 27aredirected into a. suitable drain or channel 78 beneath the machine.

The level of the water or the-like in the casing is indicated, by a hydrostatic water level indi cator 75 coupled by a flexible connection 76 to the duct 77 leading to the water container.

According to the modification shown in Fig ures 8-10, the valve 32 is maintained closed by a weighted lever 33 which is pivoted to the fixed casing 15 or other stationary part. The lever 33 ;is fixed to a rock shaft 34 upon which is rigidly mounted a pair of arms35 having rollers 36 en-' gaging the back of the valve. The valve is guided upon a pair of pins 37 extending through lugs 38 on the outlet 39. The valve is adapted toopen by the pressure of the water when the casing 20 is moved as indicated in Figure 9. A stop 40 formed by an extension of the lever 33 is adapted to abut against :the mounting 41 for the rocl; shaft so as to hold the rollers 36 in the correct position for engagement by the valve.

Around the outlet in connection with both forms of outlet valve a steam duct 42 is provided having inlet ports 43 whereby steam may be delivered into the machine by a flexible pipe connected to the union or nipple 44.

When the machine is in operation, (see Figure 4) the outwardlip, formed by the angle 26, along one straight side of the aperture 2.5, is adapted to seat against a stop 45 located within the stationary casing and formed by asuitable bracket or angle iron. A packing piece or buffer 46 is secured to the angle 45. The outward lip along the opposite side of the aperture 25 is adapted to register with the inward lip 19 bounding one side of the aperture 18' in the stationary casing 15. The aperture 25 in the intermediate casing is thus closed or substantially closed by the upper part of the stationary casing 15;

When the water casing 20 is rotated to the load or unload positions, (see Figures 7'and 6) the outwardly ergending lips or angles 26 thereon coincide and may engage the inwardly extending lips or angles 19 of the stationary casing aperture. In this position an angle bar 78 on the water container abuts'against a stop 79 on the stationary casing 15.

A perforated wall drum or cylinder 47 is mounted within the intermediate drum 20 and is adapted to rotate therein. The perforated drum is provided with end plates or discs 48 which are fixed upon a driving shaft 49, the ends of which have bearings 50 within the hollow trunnions 23 of the intermediate drum 20. The trunnions 23 are provided withwater and oil traps 73 in which rubber diaphragms 74 surrounding the shaft are located.

The part of the shaft '49 located in and between the end discs 48 is of square cross-section and the bosses of the discs are split so that they may be tightly bolted onto the shaft. At one end, the shaft 49 projects beyond its bearing and is is provided. By such arrangement the perforated cylinder is adapted to be driven, through the shaft, from a drive at one end only without setting up undesirable torsional strains in the cylinder as has hitherto been the case with single ended drive of large machines. The improved construction also avoids the objections consequent upon positively driving each end of the cylinder which necessitates an outer transmission shaft.

I It will be appreciated that the provision of the diaphragm facilitates the unloading of the'clothes from the machine as it will provide an inclined fiat surface (see Figure 6) down which the goods will slide.

The cylinder may be formed or provided with projections'or internal bailies 54 to cause the turning over of the clothes during washing. The cylinder may be divided lengthwise into a suitable number of compartments by internal discs 55-and the usual doors 56 for filling and emptying the cylinder are provided. At the top of the stationary casing a connection 57 is provided for fresh water or washing fluid and is controlled by a spring loaded valve 58. The valve is adapted to be opened by a bell crank lever, one arm 59 of which projects downwardly in the path of a pin or peg 60 on the water casing, the arrangement being such that the valve 58 can only be opened when the water case is in a position with its loading or unloading aperture at the top and the waste valve closed as shown in Figure 4. By this means flooding by inadvertent operation of the inlet valve is avoided. The valve casing 61 is provided with a plurality of passages 62 which are coupled up to the appropriate supplies of washing fluids such as blue, soap and soda solutions in the tank 66. Certain of these passages may be controlled by valves 63 actuated by pressure fluid through conduits64. A perforated plate or strainer 65 may be mounted within the stationary casing to cover the valve inlet.

Rotation or oscillation of the water case 20 may be effected manually or by power. According to the form illustrated an electric motor 67 is mounted on the frame support 16 at the opposite end of the. machine to the main motor 51. The motor is reversible and drives a screwthreaded shaft 68 which traverses a nut 69. The latter carries aball race or bearing engaging in a radial guideway 70 carried by an end disc of the water casing. By these means the water casing may be oscillated through an angle of about 90.

Any suitable form of control may be provided and when operating by electric power, a control switch 71 may be provided adapted'to be actuated by a peg or pegs 72 on the water casing. The switch operates as a limit switch for the motor 67 oscillating the casing and also a safety switch for the motor 51 driving the perforated cylinder.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. A laundry washing machine comprising a perforated drum mounted for movement about its axis, an oscillatable water case enclosing the drum and having a peripheral loading and unloading aperture, a stationary casing surrounding the water case and having an opening in its periphery, said casing forming a closure element for the loading and unloading aperture when the water case is oscillated into the washing position, an outlet gravity valve mounted on the water case opposite to the loading and unloading aperture, a stem for the valve, said stem extending outwardly of the water case, and a ramp on the stationary casing located in the path of the stem, said ramp having an inclined part for engagement by the stem to move the stem inwardly to open the valve during a predetermined travel of the water case.

2. A laundry washing machine comprising a perforated drum mounted for movement about its axis, an oscillatable water casing enclosing the drum and having a peripheral loading and unloading aperture, a stationary casing surrounding the water casing and having an opening in its periphery, said casing forming a closure element for the loading and unloading aperture when the water case is oscillated into the washing position, a conduit having an outlet, said conduit being mounted on said water case opposite to the loading and unloading aperture, a valve mounted on the water case for controlling the outlet, a weighted bell crank lever pivotally mounted on the stationary casing one arm of said lever engaging the valve tg force it onto the outlet when the water case is oscillated to the washing position to maintain the valve closed, said valve opening outwardly by the pressure of water in the water case when the case is moved to the unloading position.

3. A laundry washing machine comprising a stationary casing of cylindrical form having a peripheral opening extending above and below the horizontal plane containing the axis, a water case of cylindrical form located concentrically within the stationary casing and mounted for oscillation about said axis, said water case having a peripheral opening, a perforated drum located within said water case and mounted for rotation about said axis and means for adjusting the water case about said axis so that (a) during loading and unloading of the drum the peripheral openings in the stationary casing and water case are in register, and (b) during the washing operation the peripheral opening in the stationary casing is closed by the wall of the water case, and the peripheral opening in the water case is closed by the wall of the stationary casing.

4. A laundry washing machine comprising a perforated drum mounted for movement about its axis, doors on the drum for loading or unloading clothes therein, an oscillatable watr case surrounding the drum and having a peripheral opening, and a stationary casing surrounding the water case and having an opening in its periphery, means for oscillating the water case to cause (a) the opening in said case to coincide with the opening in the stationary casing during loading and unloading of the perforated drum and (b) to locate the opening in the water case in the upper part of the washing machine where it is closed by the wall of the stationary casing during the washing operation, said means comprising a screw-threaded shaft, means for rotating the shaft in either direction, a nut engaging the threads of the shaft and having a projection engaging radial guiding means on the water case, and rectilinear guiding means on the stationary casing for guiding the nut.

5. A laundry washing machine comprising a perforated drum mounted for movement about its axis, an oscillatable water case surrounding said drum, said case having a peripheral loading or unloading aperture, a stationary casing enclosing the water case and having a wall for registration with the aperture during the washing operation, to close said aperture, a valve controlled outlet on the water case opposite to the loading and unloading aperture, means mounted on the casing for opening the valve when the water case is moved to the unloading position, a normally closed inlet control valve mounted on the stationary casing for controlling the delivery of water and washing fluids to the water case, and means mounted on the water case for engaging and opening said control valve when the water case is moved to the washing position.

6. A laundry washing machine as claimed in claim 5 and having a pivoted bell crank lever, an operative connection between the inlet control valve and one arm of said lever, the other arm of the lever projecting into the path of a stud no mounted on the water case, means for moving the water case to cause the stud on the case to engage the associated arm of the bell crank lever and open the inlet valve when the water case arrives at the washing position.

7. In a washing machine as claimed in claim 3, a perforated drum having a diametrical diaphragm dividing it longitudinally, doors in the drum wall adjacent the ends of the diaphragm, and means for oscillating the drum to a position in which the edge of the diaphragm is located opposite the lower edges of the registering peripheral openings of the stationary casing and water case, whereby the diaphragm is inclined at an angle such that the clothes supported thereon will slide out of the drum under the action of gravity.

8. A laundry washing machine comprising a perforated drum mounted for movement about its axis, an oscillatable water case enclosing the drum and having a peripheral loading and unloading aperture, a stationary closure element located outside and adjacent the water case for registration with said loading and unloading aperture when the case is oscillated into the washing position, there being an outlet on the water case opposite to the loading and unloading aper-' ture, a control valve for said outlet and automatically operating means for opening the valve on. oscillating the water case to the unloading position.

JOHN EDWARD POINTON. 

